Robinho's hat-trick sinks Chile

A hat-trick from Robinho gave Brazil a vital 3-0 win over Chile in Group B of the Copa America in Maturin on Sunday.

Written by Indo-Asian News Service

Read Time: 2 mins

Maturin:

Brazil supporters took over Maturin's Estadio Monumental on Sunday for their side's vital Group B clash with Chile following last Wednesday's shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mexico.

After a scrappy opening, Brazil were awarded a penalty on 34 minutes when Miguel Riffo was adjudged to have fouled Vagner Love in the area.

The Chilean defence was furious with Paraguayan referee Carlos Torres and television replays suggested they had a case.

After the protests had abated, Robinho stepped up and just managed to convert the spot-kick with keeper Claudio Bravo diving the right way.

These sides last met in a friendly in March in Copenhagen when Brazil won 4-0 but Chile, on a high after their 3-2 win over Ecuador, had the better of the first half and Riffo missed a chance to make amends when he headed Alvaro Ormeno's cross straight at Doni just before the break.

In the second half, Chile striker Humberto Suazo twice came close to putting his side level. First, with a free-kick from the edge of the area that clipped the top of the net.

Then, after excellent work in the middle of the park from Arturo Sanhueza, he left three Brazilian defenders floundering but hesitated too long before getting his shot away and Juan made the block, much to Chile coach Nelson Acosta's annoyance.

They were made to pay seven minutes from time when Vagner Love took down Josue's hopeful ball and played in Robinho who cleverly dinked the ball over the onrushing Bravo for his second of the game and he wasn't finished yet.

Three minutes later, after Mark Gonzalez had been robbed of possesion, Giberto Silva found the Real Madrid forward who showed great skill to go past Manuel Iturra and Nicolas Peric before hitting a low left-foot drive beyond Bravo for his hat-trick.

The 3-0 scoreline may have been harsh on Chile but that did not bother Brazil coach Dunga whose side should make the quarter-finals if they take a point from their final group game against Ecuador.

Chile are still in contention but will probably need to beat Mexico to have a chance of progressing.